Flick or Treat: Seven Classic Horror Films of the 1930s for Halloween (or any Time)

Traditionally, Halloween is not a good day for the box office. Families and children usually stay away from movie theaters in order to trick-or-treat. Some attend Halloween parties, or alternatives like fall carnivals and harvest festivals.

Horror movies are the only films that really benefit from Halloween, and these are typically geared for teenagers and the college crowd. But there are still options for moviegoers outside this age group, and for those who are not excited about modern day slasher films.

The classic horror films of the 1930s are fun choices for Halloween movie viewing. Filled with vampires, werewolves, monsters, mummies, and other characters from early folklore, these tame-but-enjoyable classics set the tone for horror movies to come.

Universal Pictures pioneered the horror genre in the 1930s, and all but two of the movies on this list are Universal films. They launched the careers of actors like Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi -- boosting them into stardom, and the genre into public interest.

Here are seven classic movie treats for Halloween, and they are easy to locate. Rent them from your neighborhood movie rental store or online movie service. Borrow them from your public library. Or purchase them for your personal DVD collection.

What is your favorite horror classic? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

In this cinematic classic, the undead Transylvanian Count Dracula makes a trip to London to lease Carfax Abbey. There he begins preying upon the virtuous Mina Seward, whose father is administrator of an insane asylum near Dracula's home.

Directed by Tod Browning, this 1931 fantasy-horror movie was the first legitimate film version of Abraham "Bram" Stoker's classic novel. It remains the definitive version, and set the tone for future vampire films.

Dracula stars Bela Legosi (in his most famous role), Helen Chandler, and David Manners. Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade, Joan Standing, and Charles K. Gerrard also appear in the movie.

The United States Library of Congress selected Dracula for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2000, based on the film's cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Universal Pictures / February 12, 1931

Frankenstein, another 1931 horror flick, is the ultimate monster classic. Loosely based on the novel by Mary Shelley, the timeless tragedy centers on a mad scientist named Henry Frankenstein (Victor, in the book), who creates a human body from secret parts.

The film has a long censorship history, including a controversial child drowning scene, a monster torment scene, a close-up of an injection needle, and Frankenstein's line, "Now I know what it feels like to be God!" The scenes were restored in later film versions.

Directed by James Whale, the film features Colin Clive as Frankenstein and Boris Karloff as the Monster (one of his most memorable roles). Mae Clark, John Boles, Edward Van Sloan, Frederick Kerr, Dwight Frye, Lionel Belmore, and Marilyn Harris also star in the film.

Frankenstein was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1991, for its contributions to American film heritage.

Universal Pictures / November 21, 1931

Considered the first feature-length zombie movie, White Zombie is another 1932 horror classic. The story centers on a Haitian witch doctor who helps a young man lure the woman he loves from her fiance -- by turning her into a mindless zombie.

Directed by Victor Halperin, White Zombie stars Bela Lugosi as the evil voodoo master and Madge Bellamy in the title role. John Harron plays Neil Parker, the fiance, and Joseph Cawthorn is a missionary who helps save the woman.

Most of the other actors found their fame in the silent film era -- Robert Frazer, Brandon Hurst, George Burr Macannan, Frederick Peters, Annette Stone, Joe Printz, Dan Crimmins, Claude Morgan, John Fergusson, and Velma Gressham.

United Artists / July 28, 1932

The Mummy, directed by Karl Freund, is a 1932 fantasy-horror film inspired by the 1922 discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the "curse of the pharaohs."

Set in 1921 Egypt, the film centers on a dead Egyptian priest who is resurrected during an archaeological expedition. Ten years later, disguised as a modern Egyptian, the mummy attempts to reunite with his lost love, an ancient princess who was reincarnated into a beautiful young woman.

Boris Karloff stars as Imhotep, the resurrected high priest, and Zita Johann plays his love interest. David Manners, Arthur Byron, Edward Van Sloan, Bramwell Fletcher, Noble Johnson, Kathyrn Byron, Leonard Mudie, James Crane, and Henry Victor also appear in the film.

Universal Pictures / December 22, 1932

The 1933 masterpiece King Kong is a classic in the adventure, fantasy, and horror genres. The legendary monster tale centers on a beautiful young woman and a colossal ape.

When a film crew travels to a tropical island to shoot a movie, they discover a giant ape-like creature, a beast who sets his eyes on the film's leading lady. The woman's new love travels through the jungle to rescue her, encountering a variety of creatures along the way.

Distinguished for its stop-motion animation and musical score, King Kong stars Fay Wray in the leading role. Other cast members include Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson, Steve Clemente, and James Flavi

The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1991, due to its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance in American film heritage.

RKO Radio Pictures (now Warner Bros.) / March 2, 1933

The Invisible Man is a 1933 science fiction-horror film based on an 1897 novella by H. G. Wells. The story was first serialised in a British publication called Pearson's Weekly.

The focus is a scientist who discovers a way to become invisible -- while turning murderously insane in the process. As his scientific formula slowly alters his sanity, the man begins to terrorize the countryside as an invisible killer.

James Whale directed the classic flick, which stars Claude Rains in the title role. The movie also features the acting talents of Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Henry Travers, Una O'Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E. E. Clive, Dudley Diggs, Harry Stubbs, Donald Stuart, and Merle Tottenham.

Universal Pictures / November 13, 1933

In The Bride of Frankenstein, the scientist and his creation survive, and the monster is looking for a mate. This 1935 sequel immediately follows the events in the 1931 film.

When Henry Frankenstein abandons his plans to create life, an even madder scientist (Dr. Pretorius) goads him into constructing a mate for the Monster.

Boris Karloff and Colin Clive return to the screen in leading roles. Joining them are Valerie Hobson, Ernest Thesiger, Elsa Lanchester, Gavin Gordon, Douglas Walton, Una O'Connor, E. E. Clive, Lucien Prival, O. P. Heggie, Dwight Frye, Reginald Barlowe, Mary Gordon, and Anne Darling.

The United States Library of Congress inducted Bride of Frankenstein into the National Film Registry in 1998.

Universal Pictures / April 22, 1935 (LA) and May 10, 1935 (NY)

© Annette Smith. All rights reserved.

• "Classic Horror: Mondays In October." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
• Kern, Matthew. (November 12, 2001.) "A History of Horror Classics from Universal Pictures." Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
• "Universal Monsters." (October 2, 2011.) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
• Various film titles. The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved October 2, 2011.

• Halloween: A Brief History
• Halloween: An Evangelism Opportunity for Christians

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